2025 Preseason Preview –  Hopkins High School

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a strong new cultural foundation, the Royals are poised to combine scheme with a roster that boasts both explosive young talent and seasoned veterans. On offense, Hopkins creates advantages for its top athletes in space, forcing defenses to defend the entire field. Defensively, Hopkins is built on speed, aggressiveness, and physicality. Their scheme emphasizes gap discipline up front, swarm tackling, and pressure packages designed to disrupt timing in the passing game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are some players to watch:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At quarterback, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1651164' first='Tre' last='Moore']</strong> returns after a breakout freshman campaign that earned him all-district honors. Moore is a composed, mobile quarterback with the ability to make throws from the pocket or extend plays outside of structure. His athleticism makes him a legitimate threat in designed runs and scrambles, while his arm strength allows him to attack vertically.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The passing game is headlined by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1522278' first='Jayden' last='Moore']</strong>, one of the most dynamic athletes in the state. A highly recruited Division I basketball player with multiple Power Five football offers, Moore possesses elite body control, strong hands, and the ability to win contested catches. His speed and quickness make him equally dangerous on deep shots, intermediate routes, and screens designed to get the ball in his hands quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Spilde</strong>, a senior tight end/receiver hybrid, provides versatility and matchup problems for defenses. At 6'3” with fluid movement skills, Spilde can stretch the seam, block effectively in the run game, and serve as a reliable possession target. <strong>Jamison Edmonds </strong>brings another explosive element to the receiving corps, combining precise route-running with top-end speed and dependable hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The backfield features a powerful one-two punch in <strong>Jay Kellogg</strong> and <strong>Desmond Moody</strong>. Kellogg is a physical north-south runner who excels at one-cut downhill runs. His size and athleticism allow him to line up as a receiver and contribute in the passing game, giving the offense flexibility in formations. Moody is a compact, hard-running back with strong lower-body power. As last year's featured runner, he brings experience and consistency, thriving in short-yardage and inside-zone situations. Together, they provide a mix of explosiveness and physicality that can control tempo and wear down defenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hopkins' defensive front is anchored by senior captain <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1489277' first='Charlie' last='Pollen']</strong>, a disruptive two-way lineman whose primary impact comes at defensive end. An elite athlete and standout rugby player on Minnesota's all-star travel team, Pollen commands consistent double teams thanks to his power at the point of attack and ability to collapse both the run and pass game. His stat sheet may not tell the full story, but opposing coordinators build game plans around containing him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Next to Pollen is one of the state's most intriguing young prospects, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1715723' first='Cordell' last='Givance']</strong> a ninth grader who earned All-District honors as an eighth grader after an almost unblockable debut season along the interior. Equally capable at one-tech, three-tech, or defensive end, Givens brings rare power and athleticism, posting weight room numbers that include a 400-pound deadlift, 315-pound bench press, and a squat in the high-300s. Hopkins plans to expand his role this season, mixing snaps between the defensive line and linebacker to maximize his range and explosiveness.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The secondary is led by senior &nbsp;<strong>Ignacio Cisneros</strong>, a multi-year varsity starter since seventh grade whose strong man and zone coverage skills give the Royals a reliable lockdown corner. At safety, senior <strong>Chase Radel</strong> provides range, tackling ability, and ball skills from over the top. In last year's injury-shuffled rotation, Radel saw time across the secondary; this year, the staff expects him to settle into a high-impact deep safety role.An important addition to the front seven is inside linebacker <strong>Cooper Coykenall</strong>, a transfer and another elite rugby player. Physical and technically sound, he's expected to bolster the run defense with his willingness to take on contact and his instincts in the box.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->